The MOV Select 14U volleyball team celebrates after qualifying for the USAV Nationals tournament. (Photo Provided)

MARIETTA — A local travel volleyball team has qualified for a national tournament.

The Ron Kidder-coached MOV Select 14U team placed first in a qualifying tourney in Columbus to earn a spot at the USAV Nationals. The competition will be held June 24-29 in Dallas.

“Earning a bid to USAV Nationals isn’t just an accomplishment — it’s a reflection of true grit, elite competition, and the highest level of achievement in junior volleyball,” Kidder said. “Unlike other ‘National’ events that are open to anyone, a bid to USAV Nationals must be earned through top-tier performance and relentless dedication.”

The tournament in Columbus featured 32 teams in MOV Select’s division, with only the top two teams earning a bid to nationals. There were 48 bids across the country to qualify for nationals.

“You can imagine how hard it is to get there,” Kidder said. “You’re competing with big teams from Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, you name it. It’s hard.”

MOV Select ended up going 9-0 in the tournament. Kidder, who guided one other team to nationals four years ago, is assisted by Katie Haney-McGowan. The team consists of Layla Bradford (Fort Frye); Lily Roe (Meadowbrook), Taylor Greenwalt (Warren), Brynlee Lappert (Meadowbrook), Addison Schultice (Meadowbrook), Lorelia Geese (Marietta), Macy McManaway (Meadowbrook), Evalynn Wagner (Marietta), Rylee Wilkinson (Wood County Christian), Alyx Bender (Caldwell) and Alayna Leake (Caldwell).

“These athletes and coaches have poured their hearts into the grind — hours of practice, early mornings, late nights, and every sacrifice in between,” Kidder said. “Securing a bid at the OVR Bid event means they’ve risen to the top of the largest region in the country.”

Contact Jordan Holland at jholland@newsandsentinel.com.